We Offer State-of-the-Art Emergency Services for Dental Pain and Injuries at Our Walk-in Dental Clinic

Dental emergencies are often painful, inconvenient, and an unexpected financial burden. Regardless of the type of dental emergency, it is important to see an emergency dentist as quickly as possible to get relief from your pain and to prevent tooth loss or other serious complications. Our highly skilled dentists offer affordable, state-of-the-art emergency dental care near South Bend.

Why Go to a Walk-in Dental Clinic for Emergency Dental Care Near South Bend?

Most dentists are trained and equipped to handle emergency dental issues. Most dental offices even set aside time in their schedules for same-day appointments for patients needing emergency services. The problem is that an oral health emergency can arise at any time, including evenings and weekends. If you have ever had a severe toothache, damaged tooth, or abscess, you know that waiting until regular business hours is normally not a viable option. A walk-in clinic is often the only solution for after-hours emergency dental care near South Bend. Not only does our clinic provide quality dentistry at affordable prices, but we strive to keep your wait time short so that you get the relief that you need as quickly as possible.

When Is Emergency Dental Care Necessary?

Severe pain, bleeding, or visible damage to a tooth are the most obvious signs that you need emergency dental care.

Pain-Related Dental Emergencies:

Oral pain is normally caused by a damaged or infected tooth. Examples include:

Cracked Teeth

Biting on hard foods or an injury to the face can cause fractures or hairline cracks in the teeth. Even if the cracks are so small that they are hard to see on an X-ray, they can still cause intermittent pain and sensitivity to pressure and temperature when eating or drinking. If the damage is not too severe, the dentist may be able to repair the tooth with a crown.

Abscessed Teeth

A cracked or damaged tooth is an open door for a bacterial infection. Common symptoms of a tooth or gum infection include excruciating pain and drainage around the site of the infection. In severe cases, you might develop a fever and experience nausea and vomiting. This type of infection can become life-threatening if it spreads to the bones or tissues of the face, jaw, or throat.

Decayed Teeth

Without proper professional and at-home oral care, the bacteria in the plaque and tartar on the surface of the teeth can eventually damage the enamel. This decay can cause sharp pain and increased sensitivity when eating or drinking.

Infected Root Canals

Root canals are performed to remove diseased tissue inside of the tooth. In rare cases, a tooth may become reinfected.

Teeth Grinding

Individuals with bruxism unconsciously clench and grind their teeth, especially while sleeping. You should consult a dentist if you notice bruxism symptoms, such as persistent mouth or facial pain or chipped or cracked teeth without any other explanation.

Sinus Infections

According to the Mayo Clinic, sinus inflammation and infection can cause toothaches, especially in the rear teeth of the upper arch.

Receding Gums

Gingival recession is most commonly seen in patients with advanced periodontal disease. You might experience pain and sensitivity when eating or drinking if your gums recede enough to expose the tooth root.

Eroded or Damaged Tooth Enamel

The outer coating of the teeth protects the underlying nerves and dentin from pressure and temperature extremes when we eat and drink. Teeth grinding, frequent vomiting, and consuming acidic foods and beverages can gradually erode the enamel, causing pain and sensitivity.

Injury-Related Dental Emergencies:

Vehicle accidents, falls, and playing contact sports are common causes of trauma-related dental emergencies.

• Approximately 33% of children will experience a traumatic injury to a primary tooth.
• Approximately 20% of 12-year-olds will experience a traumatic injury to a permanent tooth.
• In the U.S., adults and children lose up to 5 million teeth a year because of traumatic injuries.

Getting prompt emergency dental care within the first 30 minutes following a tooth injury can dramatically increase the chances that the tooth can be saved.

Should I Get Emergency Dental Care Near South Bend for a Missing Filling or Crown?

A lost or damaged dental restoration, especially if you are experiencing pain or sensitivity, normally requires immediate attention. If you are in pain, our dentist can recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever to minimize your discomfort. We can also advise you on how to use a dental adhesive to reinforce the tooth until you can come in for a more permanent repair or replacement.

When Does a Dental Emergency Warrant a Trip to the Emergency Room?

In general, you should see an emergency dentist for urgent dental issues. There are a few situations, however, that require advanced treatments and diagnostics that are only available in a hospital setting. For example, an emergency physician can diagnose and treat concussions, broken bones, and severe bleeding that are often associated with facial and head injuries. They can also provide the antibiotics and pain relievers necessary to treat symptoms of a severe infection, including:

• Severe or worsening pain that radiates to the ear, jaw, or neck
• Swollen or tender lymph nodes in the neck or jaw
• Unusual swelling in the throat, neck, face, or jaw
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Emergency physicians are not trained in dentistry, so they cannot recommend or perform extractions, restorations, or other advanced dental procedures. You still should contact an emergency dentist after going to the ER to determine if you need any additional dental procedures to preserve or restore your damaged teeth.

When an emergency dental issue strikes out of the blue, you can trust the team at your local Dental Care Alliance practice to provide the care you need. We believe that our high level of patient care and professionalism is second to none. Call today for more information about our services. You can also schedule an appointment online.